[pct-l] Deep Creek Hot Springs

[Herb]

Ikem--

The trail from the Arrowhead side is off of 173. If you are coming down from Arrowhead you go past the shooting range. There is a bridge over a dry creek, after which 173 becomes a narrow road winding down to Hesperia. Park at the bridge and pick up the trail there. The trail may be hard to track in a few places since the fire. It is probably 3 miles, and is some work going up and down the hills. The trail joins the PCT about 1/4 mile above the hot springs. Head down stream and enjoy a good soak. 

Hitching to this spot would be tough. There are off-road folks and, in season, hunters traveling that route but traffic can be scarce on a weekday.

You could also pick up the PCT at the base of the mountain where 173 heading toward Arrowhead turns into a dirt road. That would be about a 7-8 mile hike up canyon to the hot springs.

Above the main pool near the trail there is a spring with cold water. That is a great place to fill up a water bottle for drinking while in the pools. 

The rangers do check for overnighters, but they tend to do enforcements on the weekends. I met a guy there once who claimed to have spent about 2 weeks camping out at the springs. The rangers come in from Bowen Ranch, and you can see them coming down the trail--so he would just high tail it up canyon until he saw them leave. 

I suppose you know its clothing optional at the springs. In fact, I have seen hikers coming down from Bowen with nothing but shoes and a pack on. 

Herb
---- Amanda L Silvestri <aslive at sbcglobal.net> wrote: 
> Ikem
> 
> The side trail is from Bowen Ranch reached through the town of Hespperia.  You can't hitch there, you gotta drive as it is off the beaten track.  If you rent a car, take HWY 173 to Hespperia's Main St. Go East past Deep Creak Rd., but do not take it as it dead ends miles from where you want to go.  Continue on as Main St. becomes Rockspring Rd.  You are in desert now and there are a few housed some distance from one another.  Come to Bowen Ranch Road and turn right.  Follow this a few miles to the ranch where you will pay for parking.  Follow the trail down into the canyon to the hot springs.
> 
> You can also get there from Arrowhead but the hike is much longer and you will need a map obtained from the Forest Service.
>